Communication is one of the most vital skills and abilities used in every aspect of our lives, yet it often goes unrecognized until challenges arise.​

According to the National Institute of Deafness and other Communication Disorders, approximately 1 in 12 children between the ages of 3 and 17 have had a voice, speech, language, or swallowing disorder. Yet, Communication disorders don’t only affect children, the Mayo Clinic Health System estimates that 5% to 10% of the U.S. population may have some form of a communication disorder.

That’s where speech-language pathologists come in to help and cultivate an extraordinary difference.

Speech-language pathologists can transform the lives of those struggling with communication, cognitive, or swallowing disorders of any age. Whether working with students in a school environment, patients recently recovering from a stroke, or caring for an elderly patient with dementia, SLPs can provide life-changing care to clients through proactive work on communication and cognitive advancements. SLPS can bring the gifts of confidence, independence, and productivity to their clients.

SLPs can bring a new light to clients struggling with communication disorders by helping to breed confidence and self-assurance. SLPs work closely to empower clients and reduce communication barriers and anxiety by providing a safe environment to improve the clarity, articulation, fluidity, and address stuttering issues or other communication barriers of a client’s speech.

By providing alternative communication methods, enhancing communication abilities, and promoting self-advocacy, clients can empower themselves by integrating these new skills into their daily lives, thereby transforming their self-efficacy into independence.​

Through newfound independence and confidence, clients are able to foster greater productivity through strengthened cognitive and executive function, improving clients’ academic success or workplace performance, deepening relationships, and problem-solving skills.

Your passion for transforming lives as an SLP is in high demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports strong job growth for SLPs, with a projected 15% growth rate for the next decade, over 187,000 jobs nationwide, and an average annual salary of $95,410.

Are you ready to make a life-changing difference in a rewarding, ever-growing, and versatile field that transforms communities as a Speech-Language Pathologist? Check out these three fields you can enter as an SLP.

Careers in Speech-Language Pathology

  • Education

SLPs often work in partnership with preschools, K-12 schools, colleges, or universities, or help to develop tailored programs. SLPs working in the education sector interact directly with students who have speech impairments, conduct research efforts, or can educate future professionals.

  • Healthcare

Careers as an SLP in healthcare can include positions in hospitals, nursing homes, and rehabilitation centers, working to treat and diagnose patients. SLPs in the medical sector also can work directly with patients, create specialized care plans, educate families and community members, and collaborate with their larger care team at hand to work to provide the most optimal care to their patients of any age or diagnosis.

  • Corporate

A career as an SLP can even mean working in the corporate world, in a variety of roles. In these roles, the focus is to help improve communication skills, presenting abilities, public speaking, and even accent reduction. SLPs in the corporate sector can hold titles as executive communication coach, accent reduction specialist, and communication skills consultant.

Why SDSU Global Campus?

San Diego State University’s Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences (SLHS) graduate program is ranked No. 1 in California and No. 12 in the nation by U.S. News and World Report. Additionally, the Speech-Language Pathologist profession was ranked as the number 9 best job for 2022, and the number 3 best job in healthcare by the U.S. News and World Report, making SLP an ever-growing, highly-rewarding,  well-paid position in a steady field for those passionate about using their passion to transform lives.  

To supplement the high demand for the acclaimed SDSU program and vast career opportunities, SDSU Global Campus offers and  Online Speech-Language Pathology Essentials Program. The program entails an eight-week, 100% online course, led by renowned lecturers from SDSU’s SLHS department, geared toward working SLP professionals searching for further undergraduate credentials to prepare for a graduate program designed to help satisfy undergraduate prerequisites for SDSU’s Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology program or other graduate-level SLP programs.

The program covers a wide variety of topics covered in courses like hearing science and audiology, phonetics, anatomy and physiology, language science, language acquisition and disorders, and hearing and speech disorders to build an masterful skillset with strong foundations in speech, language, and hearing sciences from an esteemed program led by exceptional professors and lectures in the distinguished SDSU’s School of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences department.​

With a strong foundation and expansive skillset brought by the online Speech-Language Pathology Essentials program. You will be ready to take your next step into higher education, advanced training, and gratifying career opportunities as an SLP to start changing lives.